The Uganda Cricket Cranes delivered a flawless performance to clinch the Pearl of Africa T20 Series title, defeating the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by eight runs in a thrilling final at the Entebbe Cricket Oval. With this victory, Uganda wrapped up the tournament undefeated, winning all six matches and securing a maximum 12 points, an emphatic statement of their dominance on home soil.
Batting first after winning the toss, Uganda overcame a shaky start to post a formidable 170 for 7. The middle-order partnership between Raghav Dhawan and Alpesh Ramjani was key to the turnaround, with Dhawan scoring a composed 56 runs and Ramjani smashing a match-winning 61. Their efforts laid the foundation for a challenging total, despite disciplined bowling from the UAE attack.
In reply, the UAE showed grit, with five batsmen contributing over 22 runs each. But Uganda’s bowlers held their nerve at crucial junctures. Dinesh Nakrani (2/24), Frank Nsubuga (2/31), and Matthew Musinguzi (1/15) stepped up with timely breakthroughs, restricting the visitors to 162 for 9 and sealing a hard-fought win for the hosts.
Star all-rounder Alpesh Ramjani was the standout performer of the tournament, earning both Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament honors. Raghav Dhawan’s consistency at the crease was also rewarded with the Best Batsman award. Their individual brilliance reflected the team’s collective rise in confidence and cohesion throughout the series.
Uganda’s captain, Juma Miyaji, praised his squad’s “clinical” display and credited the passionate home crowd for their support. Assistant coach Jackson Ogwang echoed the sentiment, noting the team’s growth and maturity. With this morale-boosting victory, the Cranes not only reaffirmed their regional supremacy but also gained valuable momentum ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifiers later this year.
